The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recently sparked concern by issuing notices to the Manipur government and its Director General of Police (DGP) following the reported killing of 13 individuals in a gunfight at Leithao village in Tengnoupal district. The incident, which occurred on December 4th, has raised serious questions about human rights violations and the enforcement of law and order in the region.
In response to a media report detailing the tragic event, the NHRC took suo motu cognizance, expressing deep apprehension about the incident’s implications. The commission termed the killings as a critical human rights violation, indicating a failure on the part of law enforcement agencies and the deployed security forces in ensuring peace and order within the state.
The NHRC emphasised the gravity of the situation, labelling it “alarming and disturbing.” The commission’s concern extends beyond the tragic loss of lives, viewing it as a setback in an area that had shown signs of relative calmness following tensions that erupted in May earlier this year.
Expressing solidarity with the people of Manipur, the NHRC reiterated the state’s duty to safeguard the lives and properties of its citizens while promoting unity and harmony among communities.
As a response to the distressing incident, the NHRC has promptly issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the DGP of Manipur, demanding a comprehensive report within a span of two weeks. This report is expected to include details regarding the filed First Information Report (FIR) by the police, along with the measures taken by the Manipur government to prevent similar acts of violence in the future.
The commission’s intervention in this matter is not isolated. Since May 2023, the NHRC has been inundated with complaints from various quarters, including individuals, NGOs, and human rights activists, alleging widespread human rights violations during instances of violence in Manipur. These complaints have been actively reviewed by the Full Bench of the Commission, with discussions taking place during a Camp Sitting in Guwahati, Assam, on November 17th, 2023. The participation of senior officers from the Manipur government, complainants, and representatives of civil society organizations underscored the seriousness with which the issue is being handled.
According to reports, the tragic incident occurred in a village housing around 120 residents across nine houses. Fortunately, no casualties among the villagers were reported. The reported incident marks the highest single-day loss of life in the region since the onset of violence in Manipur earlier this year. Initial suspicions suggest that the victims of the violence might have been militants from Myanmar, given the common route through the nearby hills, often used by militants to enter Manipur from Myanmar.
The NHRC’s proactive steps and involvement in seeking accountability from the authorities reflect a commitment to address the grave issue of human rights violations and restore peace and stability in Manipur. The awaited report from the Manipur government and its police force will shed light on the circumstances surrounding the tragic event and the steps taken to prevent such occurrences in the future.
